Prices are rising sharply in the Milwaukee area. The current average is $3.56 per gallon, $.26 higher than one week ago and $.41 more than January.

Milwaukee drivers said they are feeling the pain at the pump. Cab driver Esmail Safdarian knows the frustration of rising fuel prices all too well.

“It has a direct effect on my pocket right away,” he said. “I feel it right away when the prices start going up."

Erik Hosking said he also noticed the jump.

“It’s about $50 for this car, and for my SUV it’s about $88 right now,” he said. “And $88, it’s about a week that I’m putting into my tank. It really kicks you down kind of, you know?”

Some drivers said the increased price at the pump is making them drive less. Other drivers said they can’t drive less.

Heather Bechthold has four children who are involved in activities.

“I cannot cut anything out because it would be cutting out their activities, which are really important to keep them active and moving,” she said. “So no, I cannot cut anything out."

After 20 years in the cab business, Safdarian has seen prices rise and fall before.

“When it goes down, I feel such a relief, you know?” he said. “I feel like, ‘Oh, I can make a little bit more money.’ But when it goes up, I start getting tense. I get stressed out because I have to work more hours in order to make the gas money.”